Post Betrayal Syndrome®:
The Real Reason Performance Reviews Aren’t Working
You’ve delivered the feedback.
You’ve scheduled the follow-ups.
You’ve created the action plan, goals, and incentives.
And still—nothing changes.
The employee still seems distracted. The attitude feels off. You’re seeing the same issues show up over and over again in your performance reviews.
Here’s a thought you may not have considered: what you’re reviewing isn’t the problem. What’s unhealed is.
What Is Post Betrayal Syndrome®?
Post Betrayal Syndrome® (PBS®) is what we’ve discovered after collecting over 100,000 data points on how betrayal affects the body, mind, and emotions. It’s not just a feeling—it’s a constellation of symptoms that affect how a person functions.
A few common symptoms include:
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Anxiety
- Sleep disruptions
- Digestive issues
- Depression
- Trust issues
- Decision fatigue
And these symptoms don’t just show up at home—they walk right into your team meetings, strategy sessions, and daily operations.
Why Performance Reviews Don’t Address It
Performance reviews are built to assess behavior. Betrayal trauma affects capacity.
You’re assessing:
- Did they meet their goals?
- Did they hit their numbers?
- Did they follow through?
But PBS® is influencing:
- Can they focus enough to finish their work?
- Do they feel safe enough to trust their team?
- Do they have the emotional bandwidth to lead?
When someone is in survival mode, performance reviews become more pressure—not more help.
What to Look For Instead
If performance isn’t improving, ask yourself:
- Have they experienced a recent personal loss or relational rupture?
- Have their energy levels or communication patterns changed drastically?
- Are they more reactive, guarded, or withdrawn?
These could all be signs of unhealed betrayal—not laziness, defiance, or incompetence.
Healing Is the Best Performance Strategy
Here’s what happens when a team member heals from betrayal:
- Focus returns
- Confidence grows
- Communication improves
- Leadership emerges
- Trust builds naturally—not through forced feedback
You’re not just improving a review score. You’re restoring a person’s ability to fully engage.
👉 Want to move from performance management to personal transformation? Learn how: thepbtinstitute.com/corporate